AN: This story takes place during the Goblet of Fire, right after the champions finished the Golden Egg challenge. Snape's arm burned during the competition, and he was hoping to catch Dumbledore alone in his office to talk to him about it, and what it means for Harry and for the wizarding world.
DT: Dedicated to my favorite sister/editor because she loves Snape and recognizes his integral role in saving Harry's life as much as I do. Love you!
*I (clearly) do not own Harry Potter or any characters or places.
As soon as Snape felt his arm burn, he discreetly rolled up his sleeve so no one could see to reveal the edge of the Dark Mark, the sign of a Death Eater and a servant of Lord Voldemort. He could tell the end of the snake burned darker, blacker, more painfully. This was the sign that Voldemort was near, summoning his Death Eaters, and growing stronger.
It had long been suspected that Voldemort was gathering strength and gaining followers to rule over the wizarding world by fear and tyrannical measures, but now, it was becoming increasingly evident to Snape that the fears were going to turn into a reality.
The Dark Mark was also a sign of his past, and every painful burning sensation reminded him of his previous mistakes. Now, he could use this to his advantage to help Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. Snape had to talk to the revered Headmaster to alert him of Voldemort's presence.
Dumbledore was in his office since it was night and the students had just returned to their dormitories. Normally Severus walked the halls at night to catch any wayward students going for a "nighttime walk" (Harry Potter was a frequent offender of this rule; so was Draco Malfoy in an attempt to catch Potter), but tonight, he intended to pay a visit to the Headmaster's office.
Snape walked over to the office door, mumbled the password, "Berry sniggles," to the gargoyle, which immediately turned around to reveal a staircase leading to Dumbledore's office. Snape walked in and nodded at Dumbledore, who was sitting at his desk reading behavior reports and slyly dismissing them (Many of them were for Gryffindor students, issued by Snape).
"Good evening, Severus. How can I help you?" Dumbledore looked up at the Potions Master. "You're wearing a troubled expression on your face."
Snape said nothing in reply, merely rolling his sleeve up his arm to reveal the Dark Mark to Dumbledore. "Look. It's much darker. And it burns."
Dumbledore put on his glasses, took Snape's arm in his hand and examined it carefully. "Oh, I can tell a difference. It certainly appears as if the Dark Lord's power is growing. When did this start?"
"At the end of the second trial," Snape replied. "Right as the contestants began to come out of the water, it began to intensely burn in a way I have not felt in a long time, at least before…" his voice trailed off, refusing to mention that horrible night in Godric's Hollow.
"I see," Dumbledore mused, knowing what Snape insinuated. "What do you think, Severus? Do you think he's near?"
"I don't know. He's near, but I don't know how near. The boy is in danger. That I know for sure. The Dark Lord will be back and try to finish what he could not all those years ago." Snape sighed. "I will do whatever I can to protect him, but I can only do so much to protect everyone. He'll question my loyalty to him since I now work for you."
"I understand, and I thank you for what you have done already." Dumbledore gazed out of the window. "I just don't know how he could be back."
"And how he would be gathering strength. The killing curse rebounded on him. He was shattered after that." Snape turned around in fury, thinking of all the problems the Dark Lord had caused him that he had been too blind to see many years ago. "There must be something that we can do to not only protect Potter, but all the students. You don't think he'll stop with Potter, do you? He'll try and recruit as many students here at Hogwarts as he can, particularly from Slytherin and we all know it."
"I'm sure Draco will be one of the first he tries and sways," Dumbledore said softly. "His father was a Death Eater; I'm sure Voldemort thinks Draco has the potential to become one too, and won't stop in order to reach him."
"I'll keep an eye on Malfoy," Snape assured the Headmaster. "Don't worry. No more nighttime wandering around the castle for either Potter or Malfoy."
Dumbledore hid a smile. "I wonder when they'll learn."
"It's not humorous, Dumbledore," Snape retorted. "No one - not even the brave and wonderful Potter - is allowed to be out of their towers past curfew."
"Of course not," Dumbledore said quickly.
"It's for his own good," Snape replied. "Or everything that I'm doing will be in vain. Should we set up guards around the castle perimeter? Strengthen night patrols? I don't want to discount the Dark Lord. Weak as he may be, he is gathering strength and numbers and followers who will go to desperate measures to prove their loyalty to Voldemort. I know how he operates."
Dumbledore looked deep in thought, almost pensive. "We will wait and see, and then take action. We do not want to bring attention to ourselves, Severus. You know that. We cannot give the Dark Lord psychological power over us and our school. Be prepared - yes. Worry much - we cannot. Or else it will overtake us and consume us. Voldemort will feed on this fear and use it to his advantage. We must be strong for everyone. Keep doing what you are doing. You are a good and faithful servant, my friend. And I thank you."
"Don't worry about it," Snape said gruffly. "It's what I can do to rectify my wrong. I'll look after the boy as best I can. However, when the slightest amount of danger threatens Hogwarts or any students, we are going to take proper precautionary measures."
Dumbledore nodded. "As we most certainly shall. Thank you for letting me know. Has the mark stopped burning?"
"For the most part, yes. It is now only darker than before."
"Let me know if you feel it again. The time is coming when we all will be making sacrifices for others."
"Good night, Dumbledore," Snape turned around and nodded at the Headmaster before leaving the room, rolling down his sleeve to conceal the Dark Mark.
Later that night, Snape waled around the castle passages, prowling for any wayward students who conveniently forgot their curfew. He had already stopped Peeves the Poltergeist from torturing some of the knights in one piece of artwork, and had purposefully stepped on Mrs. Norris's tail out of frustration. That darn cat never left him alone!
He heard two voices further down the hall. One sounded like Malfoy's accusatory tone, and the other sounded like Potter defending himself and explaining exactly why he needed to leave Gryffindor Tower at this time of night.
Snape stepped out of the darkness and pointed an illuminated wand at the two startled boys. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Malfoy and Potter, sneaking out at night again."
Draco and Harry both looked up, surprised to see their Potions professor.
"He was out! I saw him and wanted to catch him!" Draco whined, pointing an accusatory finger at Harry.
Harry glared at Draco. "Yeah, well, I had business and I needed to clear my head. Besides, what were you doing out?"
"Potter stinks." Malfoy mumbled under his breath.
Harry shot him a poisonous glare.
Snape gave both of the boys a curious look and inwardly winced as he felt a sharp burning sensation from the Dark Mark. "I don't care what either of you were doing. You have no right to be out here, Potter. The rules apply to everyone, including such renowned celebrities as yourself."
Draco looked incredibly pleased with himself, and Harry protested, "But Professor -"
"Five points from Slytherin. Ten points from Gryffindor. Go back to your towers and stay there," Snape snarled, turning around and using his wand as a light to fade into the dark hallways.
A heavy burden rested upon his shoulders of which only he could understand the full weight as he paced the dark corridors. The next few months, he thought, will be very telling for the fate of the wizarding world.